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Donald Trump has pledged to put America first and lead a "great national effort" to be rebuild the country after being sworn in as its 45th President.

The 70-year-old billionaire took the oath of office on the west steps of the US Capitol in Washington, bringing down the curtain on the presidency of Barack Obama.

The tycoon, who has never held public office before in his life, is now the most powerful leader on the planet.

There has been unrest on the streets of Washington before and after the inauguration ceremony, with black-clad demonstrators smashing shop and car windows, setting fires in the street and police making more than 90 arrests.

In his inaugural address, Mr Trump promised to transfer power from Washington to the people.

Mr Trump said 20 January would be remembered as "the day the people became the rulers of this nation again".

"The forgotten men and women of our country will be forgotten no longer," the new President said.

Mr Trump added: "From this day forward it's going to be only America first.

"We must protect our border from the ravages of other countries. I will fight for you with every breath of my body and I will never let you down."

Continuing the populist tone of his victorious campaign, Mr Trump said that a "small group" in Washington had "reaped the rewards of government while the people have borne the cost".

"Washington flourished but the people did not share in its wealth," he said.

"Politicians prospered but the jobs left and the factories closed.

"The establishment protected itself but not the citizens of our country."

He added: "That all changes starting right here and right now because this moment is your moment and it belongs to you."

Referring to "the crime, and the gangs, and the drugs that have stolen too many lives", Mr Trump said the "carnage" seen on American streets "stops right here and stops right now".

The US would "start winning again" like "never before, he vowed, promising to build new roads, bridges, airports, tunnels and railways "all across our wonderful nation".

Turning his attention to the rest of the world, Mr Trump said the US would "seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world", but with the understanding that it is the right of all countries to "put their own interests first".

He continued: "We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones and unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth."

Mr Trump also issued a call for unity following one of the most rancorous and divisive election campaigns in the nation's history.